When you need help with childcare, one of the first people you ask are your children's grandparents.

After all, who better to look after your kids than someone who looked after you or your partner for most of your life.

However, new research shows that leaving your child in the capable hands of granny and granddad may not be the best thing.

New Research from the University of Sorbonne revealed that in the care of grandparents’ children are more likely to have issues with weight and overall health, reports Lincolnshire Live.

A study followed the progress in development 1,482 children from when they were to their eighth birthday.

Children who go to nursery for a year or more are less likely to struggle socially rather than being looked after by their grandparents.

(Image: SHARED CONTENT UNIT)

They were also discovered to be less likely to develop behavioural issues.

And it isn’t the first time, scientific research has suggested that your kids are better off at day care, reports The Sun. In 2017, the University of Glasgow looked in detail at children and the influence of grandparents.

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A review of 56 studies from 18 countries was conducted and yielded some rather eye-opening results.

The results of the experiment found grandparents were unaware about their influences on factors such as weight and diet – through treating, overfeeding and a lack of physical activity. Exposing them to second-hand smoke was also highlighted as a concern.

(Image: Getty Images/Vetta)

The study was conducted by the university’s Social and Public Health Sciences Unit. Their findings were more worrying as they said that in the modern day two-thirds of grandparents now help with childcare.

Dr Stephanie Chambers told The Sun : “Exposure to smoking and regularly treating children increases cancer risks as children grow into adulthood, it is also clear from the evidence that these risks are unintentional.

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“Currently grandparents are not the focus of public health messaging targeted at parents and in light of the evidence from this study, perhaps this is something that needs to change given the prominent role grandparents play in the lives of children.”

However, there are positives from leaving the grandparents in charge. As well as helping create an incredible bond, it has been found affording such responsibility on your parents can help them live longer.

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500 people ages 70 and older took part in the Berlin Aging Study and it showed that the elderly who care for their grandkids had a lower risk of death.

Factors such as being cognitively stimulated and keeping active were all attributed to helping the elderly live longer.

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Ronan Factora, MD of Cleveland Clinic did not take part in the study but told goofullness.com: “There is a link between providing this care and reducing stress and we know the relationship between stress and higher risk of dying.

“If providing care to grandchildren and others in need is one way that can actually reduce stress, then these activities should be of benefit to folks who are grandparents and provide this care to their grandkids.”

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